Regional Headlines
(2012-02-13)
LOUISVILLE, KY
(wkms) -
Since taking over a portion of Kentucky's Medicaid system, Managed Care Operator Kentucky Spirit has lost nearly 70,000 members. Some healthcare professionals are questioning whether the three new operators can handle Kentucky's Medicaid system.
Kentucky Spirit, Coventry Cares and WellCare took over Medicaid management last year. Since then, all three have all been criticized for delaying payments to doctors and pharmacists.
But Coventry Cares and WellCare have slowly increased membership. Kentucky Spirit has dropped from 217,000 members to nearly 140,000.
Joe Grossman is vice-president of Appalachian Regional Healthcare. He recently addressed the Senate's Health and Welfare committee about the problems with Kentucky Spirit.
"Our view of the most pressing concerns today with the MCOs is network adequacy. And I say that in our region because we have signed agreements with two of the MCO we have not reached agreement with Kentucky Spirit."
The grace period for Kentuckians to switch providers has expired. It's now up to doctors to decide whether they contract with any of the three MCOs. © Copyright 2012, wkms
